Surface tinting composition and method of use

ABSTRACT

A tinting composition for tinting a surface which includes a solvent and a pigment selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, mica, and mixtures thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a composition for tinting surfaces and methodsof using the composition. More particularly, the invention relates to acomposition for tinting polymeric substrates such as rubber, engineeredplastics, and vinyl, metals, glass, fiberglass, paint, and plastics andmethods of using the composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Increasingly, consumers are expending money on accessories for theirvehicles. Consumers often wish to modify the surface color ofaccessories used on or inside their vehicle to either coordinate orcontrast that accessory with other parts of their vehicle or toaccentuate that color. Examples of accessories that consumers may wishto modify in color to coordinate or contrast with other parts of theirvehicle or to accentuate include, but are not limited to, polymericsubstrates such as rubber, engineered plastic, and vinyl accessories,metal accessories, glass accessories, fiberglass accessories, paintedaccessories, and plastic accessories.

Examples of polymeric substrates such as rubber and vinyl accessories onvehicles that consumers may wish to modify in color include, but are notlimited to, tires, dashboards, bumpers, seats, steering wheels, andmudflaps. Engineered plastic accessories on vehicles that consumers maywish to modify in color include, but are not limited to, bumpers, bodypanels, trim, and consoles. Metal accessories on vehicles that consumersmay wish to modify in color include, but are not limited to, bumpers,rims, grills and hitches. Also, glass accessories on vehicles thatconsumers may wish to modify in color include, but are not limited to,windshields and mirrors. Certain fiberglass accessories on vehicles thatconsumers may wish to modify in color include, but are not limited to,body panels. Painted accessories on vehicles that consumers may wish tomodify in color include, but are not limited to, exterior vehicle paint.Certain plastic accessories on vehicles that consumers may wish tomodify in color include, but are not limited to, bumpers, headlights,and mirror casings.

Although consumers may wish to alter the surface color of theaccessories used on or inside their vehicles to coordinate or contrastthat color with other parts of their vehicle or to accentuate thatcolor, often times consumers only desire to make the color change on atemporary, nonpermanent basis. Accordingly, a need exists for a tintingcomposition which consumers can safely handle and apply to accessorieson or inside their vehicles or other surfaces not necessarily associatedwith vehicles to temporarily impart a color of their choice to thesurface of the accessory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above need is met by embodiments of the invention in one or more ofthe following aspects. In one aspect, the invention relates to a tintingcomposition for tinting a surface. The composition includes a solventand a pigment selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, titaniumdioxide, mica, calcium sodium borosilicate, organic constituentcontaining pigments, inorganic constituent containing pigments,fluorescent constituent containing pigments, phosphorescent constituentcontaining pigments, luminescent constituent containing pigments,ultraviolet absorbing pigments, mineral constituent containing pigments,amorphous glass oxides, polyacrylates, metal flakes, reflectivepigments, and mixtures thereof. The solvent selected for use in thetinting composition is selected from a wide range of solvents includingbranched or straight chained aliphatic hydrocarbons, synthetichydrocarbons, alcohols, water, organic solvents, silicone fluids,paraffinic solvents, volatile solvents, and mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of tinting asurface. The method includes selecting a surface for tinting; mixing asolvent and a pigment to form a tinting composition; and applying thetinting composition to the surface. The tinting composition includes asolvent and a pigment selected from the group consisting of iron oxide,titanium dioxide, mica, calcium sodium borosilicate, organic constituentcontaining pigments, inorganic constituent containing pigments,fluorescent constituent containing pigments, phosphorescent constituentcontaining pigments, luminescent constituent containing pigments,ultraviolet absorbing pigments, mineral constituent containing pigments,amorphous glass oxides, polyacrylates, metal flakes, reflectivepigments, and mixtures thereof. The solvent selected for use in thetinting composition is selected from a wide range of solvents includingbranched or straight chained aliphatic hydrocarbons, synthetichydrocarbons, alcohols, water, organic solvents, silicone fluids,paraffinic solvents, volatile solvents, and mixtures thereof.

Additional aspects of the invention and advantages provided by theembodiments of the invention are apparent with the followingdescription.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a new tinting composition that iscapable of temporarily tinting a surface. Although examples are directedto vehicles and vehicle accessories, other surfaces can be tinted usingthis invention. Examples of suitable surfaces which can be tinted by thetinting composition include, but are not limited to, polymericsubstrates such as rubber, engineered plastics, and vinyl, metal, glass,fiberglass, painted surfaces, and plastic surfaces. The tintingcomposition includes a solvent and a pigment. The solvent is selectedfrom the group consisting of branched or straight chained aliphatichydrocarbons, synthetic hydrocarbons, alcohols, water, organic solvents,silicone fluids, paraffinic solvents, volatile solvents, and mixturesthereof. The pigment is selected from the group consisting of ironoxide, titanium dioxide, mica, calcium sodium borosilicate, organicconstituent containing pigments, inorganic constituent containingpigments, fluorescent constituent containing pigments, phosphorescentconstituent containing pigments, luminescent constituent containingpigments, ultraviolet absorbing pigments, mineral constituent containingpigments, amorphous glass oxides, polyacrylates, metal flakes,reflective pigments, or mixtures thereof.

Embodiments of the invention also provide a new method of tinting asurface. The method includes selecting a surface for tinting, mixing asolvent and a pigment to form a tinting composition, and applying thetinting composition to the surface and optionally includes the step ofdrying the tinting composition. The solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of branched or straight chained aliphatic hydrocarbons,synthetic hydrocarbons, alcohols, water, organic solvents, siliconefluids, paraffinic solvents, volatile solvents, and mixtures thereof.The pigment is selected from the group consisting of iron oxide,titanium dioxide, mica, calcium sodium borosilicate, organic constituentcontaining pigments, inorganic constituent containing pigments,fluorescent constituent containing pigments, phosphorescent constituentcontaining pigments, luminescent constituent containing pigments,ultraviolet absorbing pigments, mineral constituent containing pigments,amorphous glass oxides, polyacrylates, metal flakes, reflectivepigments, or mixtures thereof.

When applied to the surface, the tinting composition is liquid in form.The tinting composition can be applied in various manners to thesurface. It is contemplated that the tinting composition may be appliedto the surface by spraying the tinting composition onto the surface witha spray trigger or an aerosol can; by sponging, dabbing, painting, orwiping the tinting composition onto the surface with a cloth, brush,sponge, pen, marker, or similar application means; by applying anadhesive which contains the tinting composition to the surface and thenremoving the adhesive; or by any other suitable means for applying thetinting composition to the surface. Once the tinting composition hasbeen applied to the surface, the tinting composition dries and imparts acolor and sheen to the surface. The drying time depends upon the lengthof time required for the solvent in the tinting composition to evaporateand is affected by the ventilation and the ambient conditions such asthe humidity level and the temperature. The drying time can vary fromabout 10 minutes to about an hour depending on the ambient conditionsand the solvent selected. The drying can be accomplished by allowing thetinting composition to be exposed to the ambient conditions or byapplying heat to the tinting composition.

Once the tinting composition has been applied to the surface, thecomposition will remain on the surface for days to months. The length oftime that the tinting composition remains on the surface depends upon avariety of conditions such as the ambient and environmental conditions,the amount of tinting composition which has been applied to the surface,the driving conditions to which the tinting composition is subjected,and the amount of abrasion to which the tinting composition issubjected. The tinting composition will eventually fade and/or peel andwill need to be reapplied to the surface should the consumer wish toagain impart a tint to the surface. Should the consumer desire to removethe tinting composition from the surface before it fades and/or peels,one can use a cleaning solution and optionally a brush to remove thetinting composition.

The selection of the solvent for use in the tinting composition dependson a variety of factors such as the desired drying time of the tintingcomposition, the flowability of the tinting composition, the desireddegree of dispersing of the pigment in the tinting composition, andenvironmental considerations. Generally, the solvent is present in thetinting composition in an amount from about 0.1 to about 99.9 wt. % ofthe tinting composition. In certain embodiments, the solvent is presentin an amount from about 50 to about 99.9 wt. % of the tintingcomposition. In certain other embodiments, the solvent is present in anamount from about 75 to about 99.9 wt. % of the tinting composition.

Examples of suitable solvents for use in the tinting compositioninclude, but are not limited to, branched or straight chained aliphatichydrocarbons, synthetic hydrocarbons, alcohols, water, organic solvents,silicone fluids, paraffinic solvents, volatile solvents, and mixturesthereof. Examples of suitable branched or straight chained aliphatichydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, Shell Sol 71 and Shell Sol142HT made by Shell Chemical Company, 2251 Oil made by Penreco, andConosol® C145 made by Penreco. Examples of suitable synthetichydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, synthetic isoparaffinichydrocarbons such as Isopar® M made by ExxonMobil Chemical Company.Examples of suitable alcohols include, but are not limited to, ethanolsand tert-butyl alcohols. Examples of suitable organic solvents includeacetone, hexane, toluene, esters, volatile aldehydes, and volatileketones. Examples of suitable silicone fluids include, but are notlimited to, polydimethylsiloxane, functional silicone polymers, siliconeresins, volatile silicones, and silanes. Examples of suitable functionalsilicone polymers include, but are not limited to, silicones containingamine functional groups, fluorinated functional groups, hydroxyterminated functional groups, cyclic functional groups, vinyl functionalgroups, and ethoxy functional groups. Where silicone fluids are used asthe solvent in the tinting composition, the preferred viscosity range isfrom about 0.65 to about 12,000,000 cst. Examples of suitable paraffinicsolvents include, but are not limited to, Isopar® M made by ExxonMobilChemical Company. Examples of suitable volatile solvents include, butare not limited to, cyclic silicones, acetone, and mineral spirits.

In certain embodiments, the solvent used in the tinting composition is amixture of straight and branched chain hydrocarbons and apolydimethylsiloxane. In some embodiments, the solvent used in thetinting composition is a mixture of straight and branched chainhydrocarbons and a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes. In certainembodiments, the solvent used in the tinting composition is a mixture ofstraight and branched chain hydrocarbons and a mixture ofpolydimethylsiloxanes having varying viscosities. In one suchembodiment, a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes having viscosities of 50cst, 100,000 cst, and 8,000,000-12,000,000 cst is used. In other suchembodiments, a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes having an overallviscosity of 50,000-60,000 cst is used. In other embodiments, thesolvent used in the tinting composition is a straight chain hydrocarbon,a branched chain hydrocarbon, or a polydimethylsiloxane.

Suitable pigments for use in preparing the tinting composition include,but are not limited to, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, calciumsodium borosilicate, organic constituent containing pigments, inorganicconstituent containing pigments, fluorescent constituent containingpigments, phosphorescent constituent containing pigments, luminescentconstituent containing pigments, ultraviolet absorbing pigments, mineralconstituent containing pigments, amorphous glass oxides, polyacrylates,metal flakes, reflective pigments, and mixtures thereof. The selectionof the pigment coloration also varies based upon the color choice andintensity of color one wishes to be able to impart onto the surface. Incertain embodiments, the pigment is an inorganic constituent containingpigment. A preferred pigment is mica coated with titanium dioxide oriron oxide such as Mearlin® Hi-Lite Sparkle Green, Mearlin® Hi-LiteSparkle Blue, Mearlin® Hi-Lite Sparkle Gold, Mearlin® Hi-Lite SparkleRed, Mearlin® Sparkle Russet, Exterior Mearlin® Sparkle, Mearlin®Sparkle Brass, Mearlin® Sparkle Bronze, Mearlin® Sparkle Copper,Mearlin® Hi-Lite Super Green, Mearlin® Hi-Lite Super Blue, Mearlin®Hi-Lite Super Red, Mearlin® Plum, Mearlin® Kiwi Green, Mearlin® AdobeGreen, Mearlin® Firemist Red, and Mearlin® Firemist Blue made byEngelhard Corporation, Microlith Yellow made by Ciba SpecialtyChemicals, and Helicon® HC made by Wacker. Additional pigments include,but are not limited to, pigments sold by Engelhard Corporation such asthe Mearlin® Magnapearls & White Pearlescents, the Mearlin® WhitePearlescents, the Mearlin® Hi-Lite Interference Colors, the Mearlin®Dynacolor Luster Pigments, the Mearlin® “Non-Metallic” Metallic Colors,the Mearlin® Santa Fe Colors, the Mearlin® Micro Pearls, the Mearlin®Sparkle Colors, the Mearlite® Industrial Grades, the Mearlin® Firemistpigments, and the Mearlin® Vegetable Colors.

Generally, the pigment is present in the tinting composition in anamount from about 0.001 to about 60 wt. % of the tinting composition. Incertain embodiments, the pigment is present in an amount from about 0.1to about 50 wt. % of the tinting composition. In certain otherembodiments, the pigment is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about25 wt. % of the tinting composition.

In addition to a solvent and a pigment, the tinting composition mayfurther include one or more of the following components: silica, anemulsifier, fragrance, an ultraviolet additive, and other additives toadd or enhance the desired properties of the tinting composition. Theuse of these optional components and the desired amounts of eachcomponent is based upon the desired properties of the tintingcomposition such as the degree of coloration and the viscosity of thetinting composition; the shelf life of the tinting composition; thedesired scent of the tinting composition; and the means used to applythe tinting composition to the surface.

In some embodiments, silica is added to the tinting composition to aidin suspending the pigment within the tinting composition. The silicathat is selected for use in the tinting composition can be used eitheralone or in combination in varying proportions with other silica.Examples of suitable silica which can be used in the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, fumed silica such as Aerosil® R202 madeby Degussa-Hls and CAB-O-SIL® TS720 made by Cabot Corporation, amidepowder, rheology additives, clays, surfactants, cellulose gums,carbomers, precipitated silica such as Zeothix 265 made by J.M. HuberCorporation, and mixtures thereof although other silica may also beused. A preferred silica used in embodiments of the invention is fumedsilica. Generally, silica is present in the tinting composition in anamount from about 0.001 to about 30 wt. % of the tinting composition. Incertain embodiments, the silica is present in an amount from about 0.01to about 15 wt. % of the tinting composition. In certain otherembodiments, the silica is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about10 wt. % of the tinting composition.

In some other embodiments, an emulsifier is added to the tintingcomposition to aide in holding the components of the tinting compositioninto solution, to thicken the suspension of the tinting composition, andto serve as a dispersant for the pigment. It is desired to use anemulsifier in the tinting composition where the solvent is water inorder to thicken the suspension of the tinting composition. Suitableemulsifiers include, but are not limited to, nonionic, cationic, anionicand amphoteric surfactants, block polymers, block copolymers, acrylics,primary and secondary emulsifiers, and mixtures thereof although otheremulsifiers may also be used. The emulsifier that is selected for use inthe tinting composition can be used either alone or in combination invarying proportions with other emulsifiers. Generally, an emulsifier ispresent in the tinting composition in an amount from about 0.001 toabout 20 wt. % of the tinting composition. In certain embodiments, theemulsifier is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 15 wt. % ofthe tinting composition.

In some embodiments, a fragrance is added to provide a scent to thetinting composition. Any fragrance known in the art which imparts thedesired scent to the tinting composition can be used. The fragrance thatis selected for use in the tinting composition can be used either aloneor in combination in varying proportions with other fragrances.Generally, a fragrance is present in the tinting composition in anamount from about 0.0001 to about 15 wt. % of the tinting composition.In certain embodiments, the fragrance is present in an amount from about0.01 to about 5 wt. % of the tinting composition.

In some other embodiments, an ultraviolet additive is added to protectthe tinting composition from the sunlight. Examples of suitableultraviolet additives include, but are not limited to, free radicalscavengers, antioxidants, hindered amines, antistatic agents, andmixtures thereof although other ultraviolet additives may also be used.The ultraviolet additive that is selected for use in the tintingcomposition can be used either alone or in combination in varyingproportions with other ultraviolet additives. Generally, an ultravioletadditive is present in the tinting composition in an amount from about0.001 to about 10 wt. % of the tinting composition. In certainembodiments, the ultraviolet additive is present in an amount from about0.01 to about 5 wt. % of the tinting composition.

As described above, a number of ingredients or components may be presentin the tinting composition in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. The following table shows the weight percentages for eachcomponent. It should be recognized that these ranges are merelypreferences and that not all listed components need to be present in thetinting composition. A composition falling outside the preferred rangesis still within the scope of the invention described and claimed herein.The weight percentages are based on the total weight of the tintingcomposition. It should be recognized that the ingredients or componentsof the tinting composition can be added in any order to prepare thetinting composition.

TABLE 1 Component Range (wt. %) Preferred Range (wt. %) Solvent   0.1-99.9%    50-99.9% Pigment 0.001-60%  0.1-50% Silica 0.001-30%0.01-15% Emulsifier 0.001-20%  0.1-15% Fragrance 0.0001-15%  0.01-5% Ultraviolet Additive 0.001-10% 0.01-5% 

The following examples are presented to illustrate various embodimentsof the invention. All numerical values are approximate numbers. Thespecific details in each example should not be construed to limit theinvention as otherwise described and claimed herein. The followingtables show various tinting compositions made in accordance withembodiments of the invention. In each of the examples below, component 1was mixed. While mixing, components 2 and 3 were added to component 1and mixed until uniform. When uniform, components 4, 5, and 6 wereadded. The resulting composition was then mixed until uniform. Allmixing was conducted at room temperature. The amount of each componentadded to each tinting composition is provided in weight percent of thetotal composition.

TABLE 2 TINTING COMPOSITION A COMPONENT COMPOUND WEIGHT % 1 Shell Sol 7140.00% 2 Polydimethylsiloxane mixture 37.00% [55.6% 50 cstpolydimethylsiloxane, 33.3% 100,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane, and 11.1%8,000,000-12,000,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane] 3 Aerosil ® R202 1.50% 4Shell Sol 71 20.40% 5 Mearlin ® Hi-Lite Sparkle Green 1.00% 6 StrawberryCE-49618 made by 0.10% Custom Essence

TABLE 3 TINTING COMPOSITION B COMPONENT COMPOUND WEIGHT % 1 Shell Sol 7140.00% 2 Polydimethylsiloxane mixture 37.00% [55.6% 50 cstpolydimethylsiloxane, 33.3% 100,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane, and 11.1%8,000,000-12,000,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane] 3 Aerosil ® R202 1.50% 4Shell Sol 71 20.40% 5 Mearlin ® Hi-Lite Sparkle Blue 1.00% 6 StrawberryCE-49618 made by 0.10% Custom Essence

TABLE 4 TINTING COMPOSITION C COMPONENT COMPOUND WEIGHT % 1 Shell Sol 7140.00% 2 Polydimethylsiloxane mixture 37.00% [55.6% 50 cstpolydimethylsiloxane, 33.3% 100,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane, and 11.1%8,000,000-12,000,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane] 3 Aerosil ® R202 1.50% 4Shell Sol 71 20.40% 5 Mearlin ® Sparkle Russet 1.00% 6 StrawberryCE-49618 made by 0.10% Custom Essence

TABLE 5 TINTING COMPOSITION D COMPONENT COMPOUND WEIGHT % 1 Shell Sol 7140.00% 2 Polydimethylsiloxane mixture 37.00% [55.6% 50 cstpolydimethylsiloxane, 33.3% 100,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane, and 11.1%8,000,000-12,000,000 cst polydimethylsiloxane] 3 Aerosil ® R202 1.50% 4Shell Sol 71 20.40% 5 Exterior Mearlin ® Sparkle 1.00% 6 StrawberryCE-49618 made by 0.10% Custom Essence

Tinting compositions A, B, C, and D were tested for odor, color,specific gravity, percent non-volatile material and viscosity, theresults of which are presented below in Table E. The viscosity wasmeasured using a Brookfield viscometer.

TABLE E TINTING TINTING TINTING TINTING COMPOSI- COMPOSI- COMPOSI-COMPOSI- TEST TION A TION B TION C TION D Odor Strawberry StrawberryStrawberry Strawberry Color White with White with Red sparkle Silvergreen blue sparkle sparkle sparkle Specific 0.835 0.835 0.835 0.835Gravity Percent Non- 39% 39% 39% 39% Volatile Material Viscosity330-1600 330-1600 330-1600 330-1600 centipoise centipoise centipoisecentipoise (cPs) (cPs) (cPs) (cPs) (spindle 3 @ (spindle 3 @ (spindle 3@ (spindle 3 @ 30 rpm) 30 rpm) 30 rpm) 30 rpm)

While the invention has been described with respect to a number oflimited embodiments, variations and modifications exist. For example,although the invention is described with reference to vehicles, theapplication of the invention is not limited only to use on vehicles.Additional objects on which the tinting composition may be used include,but are not limited to, bicycles, motorcycles, campers, motor homes,recreational vehicles, trucks, roller blades, boats, and canoes. Also,other surfaces described herein can be tinted regardless of whether thesurface is in or on a vehicle or other objects specifically referenced.The appended claims intend to cover all such variations andmodifications as falling within the scope of the invention as describedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tinting composition for tinting a surfacecomprising: hydrocarbon solvent comprising about 75 wt. % of the tintingcompound; silicone fluid comprising about 22.5 wt. % of the tintingcompound; pigment selected from the group consisting of titaniumdioxide, mica, and mixtures thereof, the pigment comprising about 2.5wt. % of the tinting compound; in emulsifier selected from the groupconsisting of nonionic, cationic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants,block polymers, block copolymers, acrylics, primary and secondaryemulsifiers, and mixtures thereof, the emulsifier comprising at least0.1 wt. % of the tinting composition; a compound selected from the groupconsisting of fumed silica, amide powder, rheology additives, clays,surfactants, cellulose gums, carbomers, precipitated silica, andmixtures thereof at least 0.01 wt. % of the tinting composition;fragrance; and an ultraviolet additive.
 2. The tinting composition ofclaim 1, the fragrance comprising at least 0 001 wt. % of the tintingcomposition.
 3. The tinting composition of claim 1, the ultravioletadditive comprising at least 0.001 wt. % of the tinting composition. 4.The tinting composition of claim 1, wherein the silicone fluid is